Sock and stocking



March 24, 1936. J. CRANE SOCK AND STOCKING Filed Oct. 25, 1934 [)17/6 nfofi' J. Cran 37/225 flftorhey w Patented Mar. 24, 1936 SOCK AND STOCKING Joshua Crane, Boston, Mass.

Application October 23, 1934, Serial No. 749,550 In Great Britain October 23, 1933 5 Claims.

This invention relates to socks and stockings and has particular reference to means for supporting them when in use. Hitherto it has been usual to support such articles of apparel by means of an elastic garter secured round the top of the calf of the wearers leg. The constrictive effect of such a garter tends tocause varicose veins and tired calf muscles.

The object of the present invention is to overcome this diificulty by providing a support from which constrictive garters are eliminated. According to the invention a sock or stocking is provided on its inner surface, with means for removably retaining a longitudinally arranged stifiening strip of flexible, resilient material, such as whalebone, thin metal or celluloid.

A number of embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a rear view of a sock provided with a support in accordance with one form of the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged side and rear views respectively of the lower end of the stiffening strip of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a rear view of a sock provided with an alternative form of support; Figures 5, 6, and 7 are fragmentary internal views of socks fitted with modifications of the support shown in Figure 1; Figures 8 and 9 are a side elevation and a plan respectively of a further alternative form of support.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawing, a strip I of suitable material, such as calico, is sewn longitudinally to the inner surface of the back of the sock 2, so as to form a pocket closed at the bottom and open at the top and extending from near the heel to within a short distance of the top of the sock. A second shorter strip of material 3 is sewn above and in alignment with the first strip I so as to form a small inverted pocket. A strip 5 of whalebone or other flexible resilient material is inserted in the long pocket and its upper end is sprung into the short pocket. The pockets l and 3 are reinforced where the strip 4 bears upon them. The material forming the pockets is slightly longer than the portions of the sock to which it is attached (the sock being slightly stretched while the material is being applied) so as to allow the resilient strip to tension the sock during wear. The lower end 5 of the stiffening strip 4 is shaped to fit the upper part of the heel and the tendon Achilles of the wearer.

A number of modifications may be made to the above described form of the invention. The positions of the two pockets l and 3 may be reversed, the upper pocket being long and the lower one short. Both pockets may be short, as shown in Figure 5, straps 6 of fabric being then sewn to the sock intermediate the pockets toassist in retaining the stiffening strip 4. The upper end of the stiffening strip 4 may be forked or, as shown in Figure 6, provided with a cross piece I which is curved to fit the wearers leg; in these constructions, which prevent lateral slipping of the stiffening strip and twisting of the sock, two inwardly directed upper pockets 3 are provided. One or more of the pockets may be replaced by press fasteners or equivalent devices; in Figure '7 the upper pocket 3 is shown replaced by a press fastener 8, the male portion being secured to the strip 4 and the female portion to the sock.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 4 the stiffening strip 4 passes through a hole formed in the sock just below the upper edge of the shoe. The lower end of the stiffening strip lies outside the sock and may be formed as, or attached to, a cap 9 which fits the heel and protects the sock from wear. In this construction the lower pocket or its equivalent fastening device is eliminated.

In the further modification shown in Figures 3 and 9 the cap 9 of Figure' l is replaced by a curved metal plate 10, the lower edge of which rests on the sole of the shoe; the plate thus prevents the support from tilting laterally.

While the material of the sock or stocking is in many cases itself sufficiently extensible to allow of the vertical movement of the stiffening strip when the ankle is flexed as in walking, it may be desirable in certain cases, particularly where it is desired to use the same support with socks of different lengths, to provide the stiffening strip with a spring extending device; such a device is shown in Figure 8 where it consists of a sheath l I fitting over the top of the strip 4 and connected to it by a helical spring 12, the sheath l l carrying the male member 8 of a press fastener adapted to: engage with the female member secured to the sock. Alternatively the strip 4 may have a plain top as in Figures 1, 4, and 5, the upper pocket 3 being made of elastic material. As a further alternative a strip of elastic material may be secured at one end to the sock, its other end carrying a pocket or fastener for engagement with the stiffening strip 4.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a hose having an aperture formed therein above the heel, a stiffening strip passing through said aperture and extending longitudinally of the hose, means for securing the upper end of said strip to the upper end of said hose, and a curved heel plate on the lower end of said strip.

2. In combination, a hose having an aperture formed therein above the heel, a stiffening strip passing through said aperture and extending longitudinally of the hose, a pocket secured to the inner surface of said hose and engaging the upper end of said strip, and a curved heel plate on the lower end of said strip.

3. In combination, a hose having an aperture formed therein above the heel, a stiffening strip passing through said aperture, a fastening element on the upper end of said strip, a co -operating fastening element on the inner surface of said hose, and a curved heel plate on the lower end of said strip.

4. A hose supporter comprising a resilient stiffening strip, a curved heel plate secured to the lower end of said strip, a housing engaging over the upper end of said strip, and a spring connection between said housing and said strip.

5. A hose supporter comprising a resilient stiffening strip, a curved heel plate secured to the lower end of said strip, a housing engaging over the upper end of said strip, a fastening element secured to said housing, and a spring connection between said housing and said strip.

JOSHUA CRANE. 

